EMX125

SEVLIEVO (Bulgaria), 20 April 2014 – The European Championship’s round of Sevlievo was the ultimate example of why EMX racing is the best step a rider can take on their path to a career as a professional motocross athlete. Thanks to the rain, which had flooded the track earlier in the week, the clay circuit here in Bulgaria was moist and challenging. On a track that demanded the riders to walk the fine line between attack and respect, three riders reigned supreme in their respective categories. TM Racing Team’s Samuele Bernardini took the victory in the EMX300, while Bud Racing Kawasaki’s Jorge Zaragoza won the EMX250 with Red Bull KTM Racing’s Davy Pootjes taking his second overall victory of season in the EMX125.

EMX125

With the drop of the gate for the EMX125 race two, the fans were immediately on their feet as Red Bull KTM Racing’s Davy Pootjes led the Bulgarian public’s future star Michael Ivanov around turn one. Within a couple of corners, Ivanov had already put the pass on the red plate holder, Pootjes, who then went down trying to respond half a lap later. With Pootjes remounting in fourth, Team MJC’s David Herbreteau took over second with De Carli KTM’s Joakin Furbetta moving into third.

Around lap five, a sudden influx of noise and hooting surged from the fence line as a battle between Herbreteau and the local kid Ivanov developed with both youngsters going head to head in one of the best duals of the championship to date. Despite the relentlessness of Ivanov, Herbreteau had found his groove and was moving fluidly up and down the gnarly clay hills of Sevlievo, eventually making a pass on Ivanov that would stick.

While Herbreteau proceeded to check-out, Ivanov was keeping himself entertained in second while a battle was cutting loose between the guy who was fastest in timed training, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Brian Hsu and race one winner Red Bull KTM Racing’s Davy Pootjes.

Although initially it was Hsu who had moved forward to take third place, with Pootjes hard on his tail, a mistake a few laps later soon dropped the German back to fifth, which also allowed race one runner-up Diga Racing’s Tomass Sileika to sneak through.

After a full 30 minutes of jam packed action it was Team MJC’s David Herbreteau who took the checkers ahead of KTM Silver Actions Michael Ivanov and Red Bull KTM Racing’s Davy Pootjes. Meanwhile Diga Racing’s Tomass Sileika put in an outstanding ride to grind his way forward from a terrible start for fourth with Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Brian Hsu rounding out the top five.

After the combination of points of both races, Red Bull KTM Racing’s Davy Pootjes took his second consecutive round victory of the season, while Bulgarian star and KTM Silver Action rider Michael Ivanov did his nation proud with second overall. Diga Racing’s Tomass Sileika rounded out the top three.

Meanwhile De Carli KTM’s Joakin Furbetta, who was running third in the EMX125 championship before this round, crashed early on in lap four in race two and was forced to retire with a suspected broken collar-bone.

EMX125 Race 1: 1. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), 30:28.450; 2. Tomass Sileika (LAT, KTM), +0:09.529; 3. Brian Hsu (GER, Suzuki), +0:12.079; 4. Michael Ivanov (BUL, KTM), +0:21.416; 5. Joakin Furbetta (ITA, KTM), +0:42.417; 6. Gabriel Chetnicki (POL, KTM), +0:50.532; 7. Ivan Baranov (RUS, KTM), +0:53.041; 8. Michele Baraiolo (ITA, TM), +0:54.295; 9. David Herbreteau (FRA, Yamaha), +0:55.082; 10. Natanael Bres (FRA, Yamaha), +1:07.028.

EMX125 Race 2: 1. David Herbreteau (FRA, Yamaha), 30:58.860; 2. Michael Ivanov (BUL, KTM), +0:06.531; 3. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), +0:18.655; 4. Tomass Sileika (LAT, KTM), +0:25.878; 5. Brian Hsu (GER, Suzuki), +0:27.619; 6. Dan Houzet (FRA, KTM), +0:29.711; 7. Alvin Ostlund (SWE, Yamaha), +0:33.171; 8. Tommaso Isdraele Romano (ITA, KTM), +0:42.006; 9. Rene De Jong (NED, KTM), +0:44.448; 10. Miro Sihvonen (FIN, KTM), +0:52.582.

EMX125 Overall: 1. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), 45 points; 2. Michael Ivanov (BUL, KTM), 40 p.; 3. Tomass Sileika (LAT, KTM), 40 p.; 4. David Herbreteau (FRA, YAM), 37 p.; 5. Brian Hsu (GER, SUZ), 36 p.; 6. Natanael Bres (FRA, YAM), 21 p.; 7. Alvin Ostlund (SWE, YAM), 20 p.; 8. Gabriel Chetnicki (POL, KTM), 18 p.; 9. Joakin Furbetta (ITA, KTM), 16 p.; 10. Dan Houzet (FRA, KTM), 15 p.

EMX125 Championship Standings: 1. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), 95 points; 2. David Herbreteau (FRA, YAM), 69 p.; 3. Brian Hsu (GER, SUZ), 69 p.; 4. Michael Ivanov (BUL, KTM), 62 p.; 5. Tomass Sileika (LAT, KTM), 60 p.; 6. Alvin Ostlund (SWE, YAM), 51 p.; 7. Joakin Furbetta (ITA, KTM), 50 p.; 8. Michele Baraiolo (ITA, TM), 48 p.; 9. Filippo Zonta (ITA, KTM), 41 p.; 10. Gabriel Chetnicki (POL, KTM), 37 p.

EMX250

In the EMX250, CNC KTM’s Steven Clarke pulled a ripper of a holeshot leading last year’s EMX125 stars Marchetti Racing Team KTM’s Pauls Jonass and Bud Racing Kawasaki’s Jorge Zaragoza around turn one. Although it was his second holeshot of the weekend, it was short lived, as the youngsters Jonass and Zaragoza were quick to find a way around.

Moments after passing Clarke, the duo Jonas and Zaragoza put space between themselves and third, both charging like bulls at a gate. After an intense battle which saw Zaragoza have a few sketchy moments as he looked for new lines around the Latvian Jonass, the duo allowed another rider to close up in the form of Martin Racing Technology Team’s Michele Cervellin. With the Italian Cervellin in on the battle, Zaragoza made a hasty pass on Jonass to take over the lead. Thanks to Zaragoza pushing Jonass wide, Cervellin took the opportunity to sneak up the inside and take second.

Having expelled an intense amount of energy leading the first half of the race, Jonass faded back and was left to his own devices in third. Meanwhile the battle up front raged on, with Cervellin eventually making a pass on Zaragoza. While Zaragoza did his best to respond, Cervellin made a lot less errors throughout the race and went on to win his first ever EMX250 race. The flamboyant Spaniard Jorge Zaragoza came home in a respectable second while Pauls Jonass held on for third. CNC KTM’s Steven Clarke and HSF Logistics Motorsport Team’s Ceriel Klein Kromhof rounded out the top five.

After combining the results of race one and race two, it’s obvious the field of future stars is deep. Bud Racing Kawasaki’s Jorge Zaragoza takes the overall victory with a sixth in race one and a second in race two. Standing on the second step, HM plant KTM UK’s Ben Watson combined his race one win with a ninth in race two with fellow Brit CNC KTM’s Steven Clarke rounding off the podium with his set of fourths.

EMX250 Race 1: 1. Ben Watson (GBR, KTM), 30:05.489; 2. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), +0:11.172; 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Honda), +0:15.255; 4. Steven Clarke (GBR, KTM), +0:17.355; 5. Brent Van doninck (BEL, KTM), +0:17.676; 6. Jorge Zaragoza (ESP, Kawasaki), +0:23.898; 7. Ander Valentin (ESP, Yamaha), +0:26.298; 8. Henry Jacobi (GER, KTM), +0:29.252; 9. Nicolas Dercourt (FRA, Yamaha), +0:29.634; 10. Ceriel Klein Kromhof (NED, KTM), +0:33.256.

EMX250 Race 2: 1. Michele Cervellin (ITA, Honda), 30:00.531; 2. Jorge Zaragoza (ESP, Kawasaki), +0:04.601; 3. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:25.963; 4. Steven Clarke (GBR, KTM), +0:33.642; 5. Ceriel Klein Kromhof (NED, KTM), +0:39.628; 6. Karl Vilhelm Linus Olsson (SWE, Honda), +0:41.374; 7. Arnaud Aubin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:42.163; 8. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, Honda), +0:44.246; 9. Ben Watson (GBR, KTM), +0:53.167; 10. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, KTM), +0:54.610.

EMX250 Overall: 1. Jorge Zaragoza (ESP, KAW), 37 points; 2. Ben Watson (GBR, KTM), 37 p.; 3. Steven Clarke (GBR, KTM), 36 p.; 4. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HON), 33 p.; 5. Michele Cervellin (ITA, HON), 28 p.; 6. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 28 p.; 7. Ceriel Klein Kromhof (NED, KTM), 27 p.; 8. Brent Van doninck (BEL, KTM), 26 p.; 9. Arnaud Aubin (FRA, YAM), 24 p.; 10. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), 22 p.

EMX250 Championship Standings: 1. Ben Watson (GBR, KTM), 37 points; 2. Jorge Zaragoza (ESP, KAW), 37 p.; 3. Steven Clarke (GBR, KTM), 36 p.; 4. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN, HON), 33 p.; 5. Michele Cervellin (ITA, HON), 28 p.; 6. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 28 p.; 7. Ceriel Klein Kromhof (NED, KTM), 27 p.; 8. Brent Van doninck (BEL, KTM), 26 p.; 9. Arnaud Aubin (FRA, YAM), 24 p.; 10. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), 22 p.

EMX300

With the debut of the EMX300 European Championship this weekend, TM Racing Team’s Samuele Bernardini proved to be the man to beat as he went on to dominate both race one, which took place yesterday, and race two today to start the season with a perfect score. Meanwhile Team Maddii Racing’s Marco Maddii occupied the second step of the podium thanks to his consistent third place in race one, and a well fought second in race two with CEC I.S Racing’s Toms Macuks rounding off the podium with his combined 2 – 4 scores for third overall.

EMX300 Race 1: 1. Samuele Bernardini (ITA, TM), 30:39.588; 2. Toms Macuks (LAT, KTM), +0:05.559; 3. Marco Maddii (ITA, KTM), +0:11.010; 4. Bence Szvoboda (HUN, KTM), +1:11.341; 5. Mark Szoke (HUN, KTM), +1:55.948; 6. Michele Cencioni (ITA, KTM), +2:25.769; 7. Stephane Watel (FRA, KTM), +2:32.434; 8. Txomin Arana (ESP, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 9. Rene Rannikko (FIN, KTM), -1 lap(s); 10. Lewis Gregory (GBR, Yamaha), -1 lap.

EMX300 Race 2: 1. Samuele Bernardini (ITA, TM), 30:12.766; 2. Marco Maddii (ITA, KTM), +0:02.031; 3. Bence Szvoboda (HUN, KTM), +0:02.798; 4. Toms Macuks (LAT, KTM), +0:34.747; 5. Lewis Gregory (GBR, Yamaha), +0:46.023; 6. Mark Szoke (HUN, KTM), +1:07.389; 7. Stephane Watel (FRA, KTM), +1:31.085; 8. Txomin Arana (ESP, Yamaha), +1:52.952; 9. Michele Cencioni (ITA, KTM), +2:15.312; 10. Rene Rannikko (FIN, KTM), +2:17.490.

EMX300 Overall: 1. Samuele Bernardini (ITA, TM), 50 points; 2. Marco Maddii (ITA, KTM), 42 p.; 3. Toms Macuks (LAT, KTM), 40 p.; 4. Bence Szvoboda (HUN, KTM), 38 p.; 5. Mark Szoke (HUN, KTM), 31 p.; 6. Stephane Watel (FRA, KTM), 28 p.; 7. Lewis Gregory (GBR, YAM), 27 p.; 8. Michele Cencioni (ITA, KTM), 27 p.; 9. Txomin Arana (ESP, YAM), 26 p.; 10. Rene Rannikko (FIN, KTM), 23 p.

EMX300 Championship Standings: 1. Samuele Bernardini (ITA, TM), 50 points; 2. Marco Maddii (ITA, KTM), 42 p.; 3. Toms Macuks (LAT, KTM), 40 p.; 4. Bence Szvoboda (HUN, KTM), 38 p.; 5. Mark Szoke (HUN, KTM), 31 p.; 6. Stephane Watel (FRA, KTM), 28 p.; 7. Lewis Gregory (GBR, YAM), 27 p.; 8. Michele Cencioni (ITA, KTM), 27 p.; 9. Txomin Arana (ESP, YAM), 26 p.; 10. Rene Rannikko (FIN, KTM), 23 p.

Click here to obtain the complete results.

All the photos of the MXGP of Bulgaria are available here

MXGP BULGARIA – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1735m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 21°C

Weather conditions: sunny

MXGP is available across the board in high definition, and is also globally available to view live and in HD on www.MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks, viewing times can be viewed by clicking on the logo of your chosen broadcasting network

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Bulgaria

SEVLIEVO (Bulgaria), 19 April 2014 – Dust was never going to be an issue at the spectacular track of Sevlievo today with Mother Nature raining on the parade of MXGP’s round five the entire week prior. An extremely wet clay surface running up and down the hills of Sevlievo provided less than ideal conditions for the qualifying day of round five of the FIM Motocross World Championship, therefore race direction decided it was in the best interests of the event to cancel free practice for all classes in order to preserve the circuit for the races.

Thanks to the clouds lifting with the skies eventually making way for some sunshine, the track ended up drying out perfectly, leaving loads of tacky ruts for the riders of not only MXGP and MX2 but also the European EMX250, EMX125 and EMX300 classes to sink their tyres into.

Kicking off the EMX races, the European Championship’s newest edition, the EMX300 took to the track for the first time this season with TM Racing Team’s Samuele Bernardini banking the first twenty-five EMX300 championship points.

Meanwhile in MXGP’s ultimate ‘road to pro’ stepping stone class the EMX250, it was HM Plant KTM UK’s Ben Watson who got off to an early lead when fellow countryman CNC KTM’s Steven Clarke crashed early on in the race. After taking over the lead Watson controlled the race to win a comfortable ten seconds clear of HSF Logistics Motorsport Team Brian Bogers and Honda Jtech’s Thomas Kjer Olsen.

Taking the win in race one of the EMX125 European Championship, Red Bull KTM Racing’s Davy Pootjes remains unbeaten this year, winning race one ahead of Diga Racing’s Tomass Sileika and Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Brian Hsu. KTM Silver Action’s Bulgarian young gun Michael Ivanov came home in an impressive fourth in front of his countrymen here in Sevlievo, while De Carli KTM’s Joakim Furbetta rounded out the top five.

MXGP

Rut railing skills were put to the ultimate test here in Bulgaria when the gates dropped for MXGP’s qualifying heat race. Taking the holeshot followed by a nice scrub over the single that followed 100m after the turn, MXGP red plate holder Antonio Cairoli was in the best position of the race, first.

Following closely behind the Italian legend Cairoli, Team HRC’s Max Nagl and Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek lead Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Clement Desalle who actually had a bad start but managed to hold a tight line around turn one and salvage fifth.

In the early stages of the race, it was looking to be a cracker with all the title contenders taking a place inside the top five. Team HRC’s Max Nagl was the first to drop the hammer, backing off the gas just a little bit to keep tight to the inside and pass Cairoli for the lead. A few turns later Van Horebeek had had enough roost off the back wheel of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider and found a way through, too.

While Cairoli was forced back to third, the race didn’t stop there as Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Gautier Paulin was slicing his way forward after a very average start. After a slight dual for third which saw the two Paulin and Cairoli switch the position back and forth a couple of times, Paulin found a smooth line past the skybox and sealed the deal on third. 

Coming into the closing stages of the race, the top five had settled into their positions. Team HRC’s Max Nagl clearly enjoyed the gnarlyness of the track, riding home to his first qualifying heat win of the season, while Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek took second ahead of Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing’s Gautier Paulin, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli and Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Clement Desalle respectively.

MXGP Qualifying Race top ten: : 1. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Honda), 25:31.817; 2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:01.411; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:02.216; 4. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:04.421; 5. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:25.437; 6. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:29.921; 7. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:32.799; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:36.358; 9. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:41.451; 10. Tyla Rattray (RSA, Husqvarna), +0:51.849.

MX2

With hundreds of ruts dug out around the circuit of Sevlievo, line selection was going to be key to a qualifying heat victory. Although the start straight remained as the wettest place on the track, the track management had done an excellent job scraping the mud off and having it in the best condition possible, given the circumstances, for MX2’s qualifying race.

After the five second board was raised and the gate was dropped it was last weekend’s qualifying heat star Standing Construct KTM’s Valentin Guillod who took the holeshot with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings hot on his tail. While Guillod led the first lap, lap two saw the super Swiss lose the front end and go down handing Herlings the early lead. While initially it appeared the current MX2 World Champion would check out, CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Arnaud Tonus and Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre had other ideas.

With both Tonus and Febvre starting around tenth, the duo began to slice and dice their way through the pack to be running second and third respectively on lap three. On lap four, Tonus set the fastest lap time with Febvre following in his wake.

As the race approached midway, Tonus and Febvre had chopped down the six second lead of Herlings, engaging in a battle for first and it wasn’t long before Tonus decided it was ‘go time’ and threw a very low and fast scrub to flamboyantly pass Herlings for the lead. One lap later, Febvre also made a move on Herlings in almost the same part of the track.

With two laps to go Herlings, who had spent the last three laps stalking Febvre, finally found another gear and passed the Frenchman to make a last ditch effort at catching the MX2 red plate holder Arnaud Tonus.

Although the flying Dutchman also known as ‘The Bullet’ did impressively knock Tonus’ ‘fastest laptime’ off the board on the final lap, it wasn’t enough to catch the CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s star who qualified on pole for the first time this season. Meanwhile Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings was forced to settle for second ahead of Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre who put in an outstanding ride for third. CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Dylan Ferrandis recovered from an early moto crash to come home in fourth with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jordi Tixier rounding out the top five.

Bulgaria’s own Kemea Yamaha Racing rider Petar Petrov came home in a respectable ninth and later said in the press conference, “I look forward to coming home to race because I am the only Bulgarian in the world championship which means it is an important race for me, and also it is really nice because all my family friends come out to see me ride”.

MX2 Qualifying Race top ten: 1. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Kawasaki), 26:06.452; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:01.208; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:06.036; 4. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:18.248; 5. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:25.422; 6. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Suzuki), +0:29.592; 7. Mel Pocock (GBR, KTM), +0:45.838; 8. Max Anstie (GBR, Yamaha), +0:46.341; 9. Petar Petrov (BUL, Yamaha), +0:57.154; 10. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), +1:00.501.

Click here to obtain the complete results.

All the photos of the MXGP of Bulgaria will be available here

MXGP BULGARIA – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1735m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 14°C

Weather conditions: cloudy

MXGP will be available across the board in high definition, and is also globally available to view live and in HD on www.MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks, viewing times can be viewed by clicking on the logo of your chosen broadcasting network.

TIMETABLE

Sunday: EMX300 Warm-up 08:10; EMX125 Warm-up 08:30; EMX250 Warm-up 08:50; MX2 Warm-up 09:15; MXGP Warm-up 09:40; EMX300 Race 2 10:10; EMX125 Race 2 11:00; EMX250 Race 2 11:50; MX2 Race 1 13:10; MXGP Race 1 14:10; MX2 Race 2 16:10; MXGP Race 2 17:10.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Bulgaria

Due to the weather conditions the Timetable of the MXGP of Bulgaria has been modified.

By clicking here you will be able to download the updated Timetable for the MXGP of Bulgaria which will take place this weekend in Sevlievo. 

SEVLIEVO (Bulgaria), 17 April 2014 – The 2014 FIM Motocross World Championship will receive live and delayed coverage worldwide via prominent TV networks Eurosport, CBS Sports Network, FOX sports, Mediaset, BEIN Sport, BNT, Bandsport and MotorsTV.

One of Bulgaria’s top broadcasters BNT Bulgarian National Television is broadcasting the entire series of MX2 LIVE. This weekend in Sevlievo, BNT will be in attendance with their own TV crew to provide their viewers with exclusive footage and interviews from inside the paddock of MXGP. BNT will screen the entire day of racing on Sunday 20 April LIVE; this includes both MX2 and MXGP races, as well as race two from the three European Championship classes, EMX125, EMX250 and EMX300.

The fifth round of the 2014 FIM Motocross World Championship in Sevlievo, Bulgaria, will be broadcasted in the UK and Europe on MotorsTV. BEIN sport will cover parts of Europe as well as The Middle East, North Africa and South Africa while FOX Sports will cover Asia and Australia while Mediaset will screen the final race of both MX2 and MXGP LIVE in Italy from 15:00 – 16:00 (CET) on Italia2.

CBS Sports Network is providing their subscribers with an afternoon of motocross on Sunday 20 April starting at 1pm (EST) where they will screen MXGP and MX2 races from rounds two, three and four of the FIM Motocross World Championship which took place Thailand, Brazil and Italy. Following the replay of the previous rounds, CBS Sports Network will also screen MXGP and MX2 race two in Bulgaria, round five of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

MXGP-TV’s 26mn Magazine features rider interviews with MXGP-TV host Amy Dargan, all the best moments of the weekend both on the track and off, highlights from racing in MXGP and MX2, as well as an on-board lap of the track at each and every round of the FIM Motocross World Championship. Following each round of MXGP, the 26mn Magazine will be broadcasted every Tuesday night at 23:00 (CET) on Eurosport.

MXGP will be available across the board in high definition, and is also globally available to view live and in HD on www.MXGP-TV.com. Click here for the complete list of countries and cooperating MXGP broadcasting networks, viewing times can be viewed by clicking on the logo of your chosen broadcasting network.

Italia 2

Race 2 MX2 (LIVE)                               15:00 (CET)     

Race 2 MXGP (LIVE)                            16:00 (CET)              

CBS Sports Network

Premiere on Sunday 20 April:

Race 2 MX2                                          6.00pm (EST) / 3.00pm (PST)  

Race 2 MXGP                                       7.00pm (EST) / 4.00 (PST)            

Eurosport International

Tuesday 22 April:

26mn Magazine                                    23:00 (CET)     

TIMETABLE

SATURDAY: EMX300 Free/Timed Practice 07:45; EMX125 Group 1 Free/Timed Practice 08:20; EMX125 Group 2 Free/Timed Practice 08:55; EMX250 Group 1 Free/Timed Practice 09:30; MX2 Free Practice 10:15; MXGP Free Practice 10:45; EMX250 Group 2 Free/Timed Practice 11:10; EMX125 Last chance qualifying race 12:20; EMX250 Last chance qualifying race 13:00; MX2 Time practice 14:00; MXGP Time practice 14:35; EMX300 Race 1 15:20; MX2 Qualifying race 16:10; MXGP Qualifying race 17:00; EMX125 Race 1 17:40; EMX250 Race 1 18:25

SUNDAY: EMX300 Warm-up 08:10; EMX125 Warm-up 08:30; EMX250 Warm-up 08:50; MX2 Warm-up 09:15; MXGP Warm-up 09:40; EMX300 Race 2 10:10; EMX125 Race 2 11:00; EMX250 Race 2 11:50; MX2 Race 1 13:10; MXGP Race 1 14:10; MX2 Race 2 16:10; MXGP Race 2 17:10.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Bulgaria

SEVLIEVO (Bulgaria), 16 April 2014 – The circuit of Sevlievo, located 180 kilometres northeast of Bulgaria’s capital Sofia, is one of a small handful of tracks on the calendar where spectators can see a vast majority of the action while standing in one spot. As a regular fixture on the MXGP calendar for the last eight years, the spectator friendly circuit of Sevlievo will host round five of the 2014 FIM Motocross World Championship this weekend.

In addition to the MX2 and MXGP action, Youthstream’s ultimate stepping stone into MX2 racing, the European EMX250 Championship, will kick off this weekend alongside its brother classes, the all new EMX300 two-stroke class and the youngsters of EMX125. While the EMX300 will be making its debut, the EMX125 will be lining up for round two where round one’s winner Red Bull KTM Racing’s Davy Pootjes will be looking to bag yet another perfect score.

MXGP

Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Clement Desalle finally got the ball rolling last weekend, banking his first MXGP victory and making up fourteen valuable points on the series leader Antonio Cairoli. After moving into second in the overall standings, there is no doubt the Belgian has his eyes on the prize and is hungrier than ever for that MXGP red plate.

Meanwhile, a win is on the horizon for Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jeremy Van Horebeek as he continues his climb to the top. After a second place overall last weekend at the MXGP of Trentino, Van Horebeek knows a victory is within reach. “I want to win, but it is easier to say I want to win than to go out and do it. Anyway, I think it will happen, I know my fitness is good because I was riding just as fast at the end of the race as I was at the start, so I will just keep working hard and it will happen,” the realistic Belgian said.

Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Kevin Strijbos has been showing moments of brilliance this year, already bagging a couple of qualifying heat wins. While the speed is there on Saturday, Sunday’s racing has been playing another tune, which has raised the question “Is the Belgian’s hip (an injury he got over the winter) giving him trouble the following day?” Strijbos responded last weekend when he took his tenth place qualifying result and turned it into a third overall for the MXGP of Trentino, which could be a sign he has fully recovered and is not ready to settle for anything less than the podium.

Let’s see if Team HRC’s Max Nagl can shake his new nickname ‘Mr. Consistent’ which he has received after hovering around fourth consistently for the last three MXGP rounds.  

MXGP of Trentino proved that Antonio Cairoli is human after all. After a disappointing fifth place, the seven-time FIM Motocross World Champion will be ready in Bulgaria to dust the dirt off his shoulder and try to snatch back those lost points. When asked about his lack of wins on the circuit of Sevlievo, the friendly Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider replied, “I think I have won there before, maybe in MX2 like a decade ago,” he laughed, “but you know, I always try to win and you never know what will happen, so we will see”.

Meanwhile, if the statistics are anything to go by, everybody’s money will be on Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Gautier Paulin since he has consecutively won in Sevlievo for the last two years. As if that wasn’t daunting enough for his competition, the stylish Frenchman has also ripped four FOX holeshots in succession and he is coming into this weekend extra fired up after a perfect 1-1 score at the MXGP of Trentino slid through his fingers thanks to a stone cracking his crank-case and forcing him out of the race.

2013 MX1 Podium

1. Gautier Paulin

2. Antonio Cairoli

3. Clement Desalle

2013 MX1 POLEMAN: Gautier Paulin

MX2

It would appear the MX2 class has upped the ante this year with already two riders to of beat the once very dominant MX2 World Champion Jeffrey Herlings fair and square. While Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings has in fact won every Grand Prix he has attended since the start of 2013, it seems the Dutch sensation is struggling, at least by his standards, this year to win races.

“At the moment my speed is not good so I’m giving the other guys a chance,” Herlings said at the press conference in Trentino, “I haven’t had much time on the bike this year, I have been injured and then I was sick after Thailand with a virus and then I was injured again. But this week I will ride as much as I can and hopefully be faster in Bulgaria”.

The MX2 red plate still belongs to CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy’s Arnaud Tonus who despite getting second overall, he wasn’t too happy with his riding last weekend in Arco di Trento. It will be interesting to see the Herlings, Tonus showdown when both riders are riding how they feel they should.  

Meanwhile, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Glenn Coldenhoff has two race wins under his belt and is picking up momentum quickly. If the Dutch sensation could put together two results which reflect his ability as a racer rather than just one, he could just be the biggest threat to the MX2 championship.

Standing Construct KTM’s Valentin Guillod shocked everyone with his speed in Arco di Trento. With the confidence from his solid lap times, qualifying heat win and fantastic result, the 2013 EMX250 European champion will be looking to back that ride up this weekend in Sevlievo.

Meanwhile Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre has become the dark horse. The young Frenchman can match the pace of the front-runners and when he has a race with little error, he is more than capable of being on the box.

As for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jordi Tixier, a lot of people are left scratching their heads. The young Frenchman was the solid bet for second place last year, yet sixth has been his best result so far in 2014. After taking home second in Sevlievo in 2013 with a convincing 2 – 2 result, this weekend might just be the turn around Tixier’s been waiting for.

Flying the flag for his homeland, Kemea Yamaha Racing’s Petar Petrov still feels he has a lot to prove this year. His team have gone on the record to say the Bulgarian is capable of a top five, and Petrov himself has proved it when he took fourth overall at the MX2 Grand Prix of Benelux last year. This weekend Petrov will have his buddies and his family in his corner and it would be nice for him to show his home country everything he has learned since moving to Belgium at a young age.

2013 MX2 Podium

1. Jeffrey Herlings

2. Jordi Tixier

3. Alessandro Lupino

2013 MX2 POLEMAN: Jeffrey Herlings

All the photos of the MXGP of Bulgaria will be available here

TIMETABLE

SATURDAY: EMX300 Free/Timed Practice 07:45; EMX125 Group 1 Free/Timed Practice 08:20; EMX125 Group 2 Free/Timed Practice 08:55; EMX250 Group 1 Free/Timed Practice 09:30; MX2 Free Practice 10:15; MXGP Free Practice 10:45; EMX250 Group 2 Free/Timed Practice 11:10; EMX125 Last chance qualifying race 12:20; EMX250 Last chance qualifying race 13:00; MX2 Time practice 14:00; MXGP Time practice 14:35; EMX300 Race 1 15:20; MX2 Qualifying race 16:10; MXGP Qualifying race 17:00; EMX125 Race 1 17:40; EMX250 Race 1 18:25

SUNDAY: EMX300 Warm-up 08:10; EMX125 Warm-up 08:30; EMX250 Warm-up 08:50; MX2 Warm-up 09:15; MXGP Warm-up 09:40; EMX300 Race 2 10:10; EMX125 Race 2 11:00; EMX250 Race 2 11:50; MX2 Race 1 13:10; MXGP Race 1 14:10; MX2 Race 2 16:10; MXGP Race 2 17:10.

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Bulgaria

During the MXGP of Bulgaria, which will be held in Sevlievo on the 20^th April weekend together with MXGP and MX2, it will also take place the second round of the EMX125 championship and the first round of the EMX250 and EMX300 championships.

By clicking here you will be able to download the timetable of the event and the entry lists of the three European classes can be found here below:

EMX125 Entry List

EMX250 Entry List

EMX300 Entry List

ARCO DI TRENTO (Italy), 13 April 2014 - Slicing through the crisp air of Arco di Trento, forty young riders had their two-stroke 125cc machines singing as they went for gold at round one of the European EMX125 championship. Following in the footsteps of Dutch motocross hero FIM MX2 World Champion Jeffrey Herlings, another Dutch prodigy Red Bull KTM Racing’s Davy Pootjes proved to be on another level here in Arco di Trento, dominating both races to take his first perfect score of the season.

In race one yesterday evening, Red Bull KTM Racing’s Davy Pootjes took the holeshot and went on to lead every lap unchallenged. Meanwhile, behind the young Dutch sensation, a riot had unfurled between the two Italians CDP Cortenuova’s Michele Baraiolo and Team 200 Energy’s Filippo Zonta, and the two Frenchmen, Lucas Imbert and Team MJC’s David Herbreteau, as they battled hard for the second and third positions. In the end it was it was Baraiolo who managed to cross the line second ahead of Zonta, Imbert and Herbreteau respectively.

Under overcast skies the gates dropped for moto two with Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Brian Hsu making up for his first turn crash yesterday with a massive holeshot. Following Hsu through was KTM Silver Action’s Michael Ivanov and race one winner Red Bull KTM Racing’s Davy Pootjes with Pootjes proving right off the bat he’s the man to beat this year, carrying more momentum into the corners to pass both Ivanov and Hsu within the first few laps. While Pootjes proceeded to check out ever so slightly, Hsu rode solid in second while De Carli’s Joakin Furbetta flew the flag for the Italians in third. Coming into the closing stages of the race Furbetta came under pressure from Mafi MX Team’s Alvin Ostlund. Despite Ostlund laying it all on the line on the last lap, Furbetta managed to hold on to take third behind the winner Davy Pootjes and runner-up Brian Hsu. Meanwhile Alvin Ostlund was forced to settle for fourth with Team MJC’s David Herbreteau rounding out the top five.

At the end of the day it was a mixed bag of results for the EMX125 riders, symbolizing the depth of talent in the class this year. Standing on the top step of the podium, Red Bull KTM Racing’s Davy Pootjes took his first EMX125 overall victory with the two local stars CDP Cortenuova’s Michele Baraiolo and De Carli’s Joakin Furbetta on the second and third steps.

EMX125 Race 1: 1. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), 30:13.373; 2. Michele Baraiolo (ITA, TM), +0:21.742; 3. Filippo Zonta (ITA, KTM), +0:26.488; 4. Lucas Imbert (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:26.790; 5. David Herbreteau (FRA, Yamaha), +0:27.346; 6. Thomas Marini (SMR, KTM), +0:29.221; 7. Joakin Furbetta (ITA, KTM), +0:33.107; 8. Alvin Ostlund (SWE, Yamaha), +0:33.241; 9. Riccardo Righi (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:44.764; 10. Brian Hsu (GER, Suzuki), +0:47.164.

EMX125 Race 2: 1. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), 29:25.917; 2. Brian Hsu (GER, Suzuki), +0:02.489; 3. Joakin Furbetta (ITA, KTM), +0:25.786; 4. Alvin Ostlund (SWE, Yamaha), +0:26.773; 5. David Herbreteau (FRA, Yamaha), +0:38.613; 6. Michael Ivanov (BUL, KTM), +0:42.853; 7. Lucas Imbert (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:44.582; 8. Michele Baraiolo (ITA, TM), +0:47.089; 9. Nicola Bertuzzi (ITA, KTM), +0:48.797; 10. Gabriel Chetnicki (POL, KTM), +0:50.338.

EMX125 Overall: 1. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), 50 points; 2. Michele Baraiolo (ITA, TM), 35 p.; 3. Joakin Furbetta (ITA, KTM), 34 p.; 4. Brian Hsu (GER, SUZ), 33 p.; 5. David Herbreteau (FRA, YAM), 32 p.; 6. Lucas Imbert (FRA, HUS), 32 p.; 7. Alvin Ostlund (SWE, YAM), 31 p.; 8. Filippo Zonta (ITA, KTM), 28 p.; 9. Michael Ivanov (BUL, KTM), 22 p.; 10. Tomass Sileika (LAT, KTM), 20 p.;

EMX125 Championship Standings: 1. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), 50 points; 2. Michele Baraiolo (ITA, TM), 35 p.; 3. Joakin Furbetta (ITA, KTM), 34 p.; 4. Brian Hsu (GER, SUZ), 33 p.; 5. Lucas Imbert (FRA, HUS), 32 p.; 6. David Herbreteau (FRA, YAM), 32 p.; 7. Alvin Ostlund (SWE, YAM), 31 p.; 8. Filippo Zonta (ITA, KTM), 28 p.; 9. Michael Ivanov (BUL, KTM), 22 p.; 10. Tomass Sileika (LAT, KTM), 20 p.

Click here to obtain the complete results.

All the photos of the MXGP of Trentino are available here

MXGP TRENTINO – QUICK FACTS

Circuit length: 1660m

Type of ground: Hard Pack

Temperature: 17°C

Weather conditions: cloudy

LINKS

Youthstream

FIM

MXGP of Trentino